What old tradition would you like to see revived?

[skylark]

Originally Posted by 33girl

In other words, sometimes it isn't the sorority making the no-candle rules.

And sometimes it is the sorority... my GLO's policy on candles comes directly from nationals and applies to chapters that are both housed and unhoused. It is even part of the risk management chairman's materials direct from the GLO to make sure every chapter complies...

[33girl]

Originally Posted by skylark

And sometimes it is the sorority... my GLO's policy on candles comes directly from nationals and applies to chapters that are both housed and unhoused. It is even part of the risk management chairman's materials direct from the GLO to make sure every chapter complies...

I'm not denying that.

I'm just saying that there ARE times when the national sorority has nothing to do with it. There are lots of instances on here where collegians or alums say "our nationals didn't let us do so and so" and nationals had nothing to do with it...it was a chapter bylaw, or a tradition, or something the school didn't allow. Kind of along the same lines of blaming the "brothel law" for the lack of sorority houses when no such law exists. Everyone seemed to be piling on nationals for not "letting" them do things whether or not the national was really the one who made the rule.

[PsychTau2]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I'm not denying that.
There are lots of instances on here where collegians or alums say "our nationals didn't let us do so and so" and nationals had nothing to do with it...it was a chapter bylaw, or a tradition, or something the school didn't allow.

As a campus Greek Advisor I get that ALL THE TIME! Except in my case, it's "the college won't let us..." Actually, if they were familiar with their organization's policies and governing documents, they'd know that the school had nothing to do with the rule (whatever it is). I call chapter officers out on that all the time! (there are times when sorority members complain to me about a rule that I've never heard of before...come to find out, the rule is in the chapter bylaws and the chapter leadership blames it on ME when they are reviewing bylaws with the chapter members).

Our campus DOES have the "no candles" rule..but it applies to everyone in any campus property. The sorority chapters have found places off campus to do initiation instead (which gives them a better room in my opinion).

PsychTau

[ISUKappa]

Originally Posted by skylark

And sometimes it is the sorority... my GLO's policy on candles comes directly from nationals and applies to chapters that are both housed and unhoused. It is even part of the risk management chairman's materials direct from the GLO to make sure every chapter complies...

Yes, the no flame mandate is straight from Headquarters but it was set with insurance and safety in mind. Sure I miss the ambiance of real candles during recruitment and ritual, but I'd much rather have a standing house and all the members safe than a little ambiance.

[skylark]

Originally Posted by ISUKappa

Yes, the no flame mandate is straight from Headquarters but it was set with insurance and safety in mind. Sure I miss the ambiance of real candles during recruitment and ritual, but I'd much rather have a standing house and all the members safe than a little ambiance.

Yeah, I understand the logic and liability-avoiding reasons (just like with many of the restrictions that inevitably have to exist)... I'm just saying that I miss it and it is too bad that we couldn't just solve the problem some other way than a complete ban. I have no ideas as far as what that would be, but I'm definitely jealous of the GPBs' real candles!

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by skylark

And sometimes it is the sorority... my GLO's policy on candles comes directly from nationals and applies to chapters that are both housed and unhoused. It is even part of the risk management chairman's materials direct from the GLO to make sure every chapter complies...

See my post on insurance above. It's not just housed members who are covered in the insurance policy.